Device for ironing a piece of garment

ABSTRACT

A device for ironing garments, particularly shirts. The device comprises an outer inflatable member that is provided with a torso section and two sleeve sections which are laterally connected to the torso section, and an inner inflatable member essentially made of an air-impermeable material. Air for the sleeve sections and the torso section is supplied separately via the inner inflatable member.

The present invention relates to a device for ironing a garment, especially a garment for the upper body, such as for example a shirt, a blouse or a jacket.

It is known to dry or iron items of clothing by pulling these onto an inflatable member which is also designated as an inflatable dummy and which substantially has the shape of the garment to be ironed, and this inflatable member is provided with air or steam from inside. The inflatable member is inflated by the supply of air or steam and tensions the items to be ironed or dried from inside. In order to be able to achieve uniform inflation of the inflatable member and therefore a good drying and ironing result, it can be necessary to distribute the air introduced into the interior of the inflatable member or the introduced steam such that the inflatable member takes on the desired shape.

For this purpose it is proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,165,244 to use a device which uses an inflatable member subdivided into a plurality of compartments. The individual compartments are formed by dividing walls provided in the inflatable members which can be diaphragms for example. These compartments are inflated by means of a blower via separate pipes wherein the air supply into one compartment can be throttled in favour of the air supply to the other compartments. This structure is very expensive because of the pipes to be provided and the necessary regulation.

It is furthermore proposed in DE 100 63 672 A1 to provide a device for pressing shirts comprising a subdivided inflatable member. In this case, one outer inflatable member and two inner inflatable members located therein are provided. The inner inflatable members consist of air-permeable material and each have a torso section and respectively one sleeve section. The pressure in the outer inflatable member is produced by means of the air emerging from the inner inflatable members, where openings can additionally be provided at the ends of the sleeve sections to allow a greater supply of air to the sleeves of the outer inflatable member. The air emerging via the sleeve section is used to supply the torso section with air. If the air flow from the sleeve section to the torso section is interrupted, this section collapses as a result of the deficient air supply in the torso section, resulting in a poor ironing result in this area. Such an interruption of the air supply from the sleeve section to the torso section can occur, for example, if a garment of smaller size is pulled onto the outer inflatable member.

It is thus the object of the invention to provide a device for ironing wherein uniform inflation of the outer inflatable member can be ensured in a simple manner.

The object is solved according to the invention by a device for pressing items of clothing, especially shirts, where the device comprises an outer inflatable member comprising a torso section and two sleeve sections which are connected laterally to the torso section, and an inner inflatable member which substantially consists of an air-impermeable material. The air supply in the device according to the invention is effected so that the air supply for the sleeve sections and for the torso section of the outer inflatable member is provided separately via the inner inflatable member.

By a separate air supply to the different sections of the outer inflatable member it is understood that the air for one section need not pass through the other section. The inner inflatable member in the device thus fulfils the function of supporting the form of the outer inflatable member and at the same time, the function of the air supply to the separate regions. Thus, the entire structure of the device is kept simple. In the inflated state of the device in which this presses the garment pulled thereon, which is preferably damp, the air supply is exclusively separate whereas in the initial stage of the pressing process a certain exchange of air between the torso section and the sleeve sections can take place.

The separation between the torso section and the sleeve sections in the outer inflatable member is partly formed by the cladding of the inner inflatable member. The provision of separate dividing walls or diaphragms between these regions can thus be omitted. In addition, this configuration can ensure that the outer inflatable member is supported at the dividing line between the sleeve section and the torso section, i.e. at the sleeve opening of the torso section. The inner inflatable member preferably has a torso section and two sleeve sections laterally connected thereto. In this case, the separation between the torso section and the sleeve sections in the outer inflatable member is formed by a portion of the sleeve stumps. Since the separation is provided by abutting the inner inflatable member against the outer inflatable member, the sleeve stump of the inner inflatable member is preferably designed so that the circumference of the sleeve stump is greater than the circumference of the sleeve section of the outer inflatable member. As a result, on the one hand a reliable separation of sleeve section and torso section can be achieved. On the other hand, the difference in the diameters can be used to achieve firm bearing of the sleeve stump against the sleeve section and thus good pressing of the sleeve of the garment in this area.

The separation thus only appears in the inflated state of the inner and outer inflatable member whereas the inner and outer inflatable member are not connected to one another in the stress-relieved state. This has the advantage that the inflatable members can be removed individually from the device and can be cleaned, for example.

The length of the sleeve stumps preferably corresponds to at least a quarter or a third, especially preferably half, the length of the sleeve section of the outer inflatable member. This sleeve stump thus abuts against the upper portion of the sleeve section of the outer inflatable member. This in turn is surrounded on the outside by the sleeve of the garment or the shirt. Air must be introduced into the sleeve section of the outer inflatable member at elevated pressure in order to achieve sufficient tensioning of the sleeve section in the sleeve starting area and thereby prevent fold points. In addition, drying of the seams on the garment must be ensured in the sleeve starting area. If air is guided at elevated pressure into the entire sleeve area of the outer inflatable member, especially in the areas in which only one material layer is provided, e.g. in the upper sleeve area, rapid drying takes place and heated air is then lost via this region, which represents a loss of energy. The sleeve stump is thus used to slow the drying of the upper sleeve area of the garment and nevertheless be able to ensure that sufficient pressure is applied in this area. Since the material of the inner inflatable member and the material of the outer inflatable member lie above one another in the upper area of the sleeve section, the escape of air is retarded and the drying in the upper sleeve area is slowed and adapted to the remaining outer inflatable member. At the same time, the required pressure is produced for unfolding the sleeve in the sleeve starting area and drying these seams in this area above the sleeve stump.

On the inner inflatable member a wedge can be provided at the sleeve stump opening which produces a larger circumference of the sleeve stump in the vicinity of the sleeve stump opening than at the sleeve stump opening. This wedge which consists of the same material as the inner inflatable member makes it possible to enlarge the circumference of the sleeve stump at a short distance from the sleeve stump opening in a simple manner. Distortions in this area can hereby be prevented and a wedge provided on the outer inflatable member according to a further embodiment which serves to enlarge the circumference of the sleeve section can be supported such that the sleeve section abuts sufficiently against the garment.

The sleeve section of the outer inflatable member can be ventilated via the front faces of the sleeve stumps which are configured as air-permeable for this purpose. The air permeability can be achieved by a suitable choice of material, for example, an open textile material or by providing one or more openings in a dense material. For example, an opening 24 mm in diameter can be provided on the front side in a dense material. The air flow is hereby ideally directed.

The air supply for the torso section of the outer inflatable member can be provided by air-permeable areas in the torso section of the inner inflatable member. In this case, the air permeability can be achieved by a suitable choice of material, for example, an open textile material or by providing one or more openings in a dense material.

The inner inflatable member is preferably formed from two separate side portions which each form a portion of the torso portion of the inner inflatable member. The side portions preferably each have a sleeve stump which projects into the sleeve section of the outer inflatable member. As a result of the stability exhibited by the side portions in the inflated state, a spacing provided between the side portions is also maintained during the pressing process, i.e., after tensioning a garment. In addition, the side portions can be supported on their inside by a frame which can be formed, for example, by rods or by continuous surfaces.

Any pressing together of the side portions even when tensioning a garment of smaller size is thus avoided. In one embodiment, connecting means are provided between the side portions which, for example, can be made of strips of material. This prevents the side portions from moving away from one another

In one preferred embodiment, the side portion of the inner inflatable member on the side facing the further side portion of the inner inflatable member is at least partly air-permeable. The air permeability can also be achieved here by a suitable choice of material, for example, an open textile material or by providing one or more openings in a dense material. For example, four openings 24 mm in diameter can be inserted on the side of the side portion facing the further side portion. By this means a sufficient regulated air supply to the torso section of the outer inflatable member can also be achieved if a garment of smaller size is pulled onto the device. Especially, if the side portions are held by a frame, the spacing of the inner sides of the side portions is always unchanged and the air supply to the torso section of the outer inflatable member is always ensured.

In the device a pressure ratio between the outer and the inner inflatable members of 1:2.5 to 1:4.5, preferably of 1:3 to 1:3.5 is preferably set. This pressure ratio exists both in the sleeve section and in the torso area. This pressure ratio is achieved by means of the substantially airtight configuration of the inner inflatable member. The exact setting of the pressure difference can additionally be made by selecting the size of the air-permeable areas at the sleeve stumps and the torso portion of the inner inflatable member.

Those regions having an air permeability in the range of 0 to 3 L/m²s, preferably 0 to 1 L/m²s, are preferably designated as air-impermeable regions of the inflatable member. Regions of moderate air permeability preferably have an air permeability in the range of 3 to 20 L/m²s, preferably of 5 to 10 L/m²s. The air-permeable regions preferably have an air permeability in the range of 100 to 250 L/m²s, preferably of 150 to 210 L/m²s. The values are preferably measured at a difference pressure of 100 Pa.

The invention is described in detail hereinafter with reference to the appended figures. In the figures:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the device according to the invention; and

FIG. 2 is a detailed view of a side portion of an inner inflatable member of the embodiment of the device according to the invention from FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 shows a device 1 consisting of an outer inflatable member 2 and an inner inflatable member 3. The outer inflatable member 2 is only partly indicated to allow a view of the inner inflatable member 3. The outer inflatable member 2 comprises a torso section 21 and two sleeve sections 22 which are laterally connected to the torso section 21 via a sleeve opening 23.

The outer inflatable member 2 accommodates an inner inflatable member 3. In the embodiment shown, the inner inflatable member 3 is formed by two side portions 31 and 32. One side portion 31 of the inner inflatable member 3 is shown in further detail in FIG. 2. The structure and the mode of operation of the device according to the invention is explained in the following especially with reference to this side portion 31 which is shown as the left side portion in FIG. 1. The other right side portion 32 in FIG. 1 has the same structure and fulfils the same functions.

The side portion 31 has a torso portion 311, the torso portions of the first and second side portion 31 and 32 are spaced apart from one another and jointly form the torso portion of the inner inflatable member 3.

A sleeve stump 312 is disposed laterally on the side portion 31. This is connected to the side portion 31 via a sleeve stump opening. An opening 314 is provided on the front face 313 of the sleeve stump 312. The circumference of the sleeve stump 312 is substantially formed by a cut section of a material, preferably a textile material. On the underside a wedge 315 is provided on the sleeve stump 312 which serves to enlarge the circumference of the sleeve stump. The wedge 315 is preferably made of the same material as the circumferential surface of the sleeve stump 312. In the embodiment shown a corresponding wedge on the underside of the sleeve opening is incorporated on the sleeve section 22 of the outer inflatable member 2.

The torso section 311 of the side portion 31 of the inner inflatable member 3 is formed by an inner side 4 on the side facing the further side portion 32. In the embodiment shown a cut portion 41 having a high air permeability is incorporated on this inner side 4 of the torso portion 311 at middle height. The other cut portions 42 and 43 of the inner side 4 of the side portion 31 are preferably configured as sealed. Provided in the lower cut portion 43 of the inner side 4 is a connecting opening 44 via which the side portion 31 can be connected to a blower of a housing (not shown) provided underneath the inflatable member 2.

The device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 can be used to simply and reliably press a garment, especially a shirt. The garment is stretched on the outer inflatable member 2. In this case, the sleeve sections 22 of the outer inflatable member 2 are inserted into the sleeves of the garment and are preferably fixed there. Air or steam is then fed by means of a blower into the inner inflatable member 3, preferably via the connecting opening 44. In the embodiment shown air is fed into both side portions 31 and 32 in this way. The inner inflatable member 3 inflates and the sleeve stumps of the side portions 31 and 32 are also inflated.

Air is passed from the inner inflatable member via the opening 313 in the sleeve stump 312 and the corresponding opening in the sleeve stump of the side portion 32 into the sleeve section 22 of the outer inflatable member 2, causing

this to inflate. As a result of the larger circumference exhibited by the sleeve stump 312 compared with the circumference of the sleeve section 22, the outer side of the circumference of the sleeve stump 312 is pressed onto the inner side of the circumference of the sleeve section 22. This prevents the supply of air from the opening 314 in the front face 313 to the torso section 21 of the outer inflatable member 2.

According to the invention, the torso section 21 of the outer inflatable member 2 is supplied separately from the air supply to the sleeve sections 22. In the embodiment shown, the air supply is achieved through a region 41 on the inner side 4 of the side portions 31 and 32 of the inner inflatable member 3. The region 41 is designed as air-permeable so that air introduced into the inner inflatable member 3 can enter the torso section 21 of the outer inflatable member 2 via this region.

In the inflated state of the inflatable members 2 and 3 of the device 1, the air supply to the sleeve sections 22 is provided exclusively via the sleeve stumps of the side portions 31 and 32, especially via an opening provided in the front face of the sleeve stumps. In the embodiment shown the air supply for the torso region 21 of the outer inflatable member 2 is provided exclusively via the air-permeable regions 41 of the inner sides 4 of the side portions 31 and 32 of the inner inflatable member 3.

In the embodiment shown the front face 313, the cut portion of the sleeve stump 312, the wedge 315 and the cut portions forming the torso portion 311, apart from the inner side 4, are made of a material having an air permeability in the range of 0 to 1 L/m²s measured at a pressure differential of 100 Pa, i.e. which is substantially sealed. The cut portions 42 in the upper and 43 in the lower area of the inner side are preferably also formed from this dense material. The air-permeable region 44 on the other hand preferably has an air permeability in the range of 150 to 210 L/m²s. The values are measured at a pressure differential of 100 Pa. It is furthermore possible to incorporate a further cut portion, for example, on the side lying opposite to the inner side 4, which has a moderate air permeability in the range of 3 to 20 L/m²s, preferably in the range of 5 to 10 L/m²s, measured at a pressure differential of 100 Pa. This cut portion can extend over the torso portion from the lower edge as far as the sleeve stump opening and serves to dry the side seam of the garment in the torso region.

The cut portion forming the sleeve section 22 of the outer inflatable member preferably has an air permeability in the range of 0 to 1 L/m²s, measured at a pressure differential of 100 Pa, i.e., is substantially sealed. Regions having moderate air permeability and open regions can be provided on the lower region of the sleeve section for the drying of the sleeve and the sleeve slit.

In the device according to the invention, pressure values can be achieved in the individual regions of the inflatable member which, for example, can have the following values. Air or steam at a pressure of 400 Pa can be introduced via the connecting opening. As a result, a pressure of 350 Pa, for example, can be adjusted in the sleeve sections 22 of the outer inflatable member 2 which makes it possible to achieve an excellent pressing result on the sleeve of the garment. A pressure of 100 to 120 Pa can be adjusted in the torso section 21 of the outer inflatable member 2, especially between the two side portions 31, 32 of the inner inflatable member 3. These pressure ratios are ideal for pressing a garment using the device according to the invention.

The present invention is not restricted to the embodiment shown.

Although in the embodiment shown the air-permeable region 41 only extends over the central region of the inner side 4 of the side portion 31 of the inner inflatable member 3, it is also possible according to the invention to configure the entire area of the inner side 4 of the side portion as permeable to air. The pressure ratio between the outer and the inner inflatable members, especially in the torso section of the outer inflatable member, can be adjusted by means of the size of the air-permeable region.

The opening on the front face of the sleeve stumps is not limited to a specific size. Furthermore, instead of an opening on a dense cut portion on the front face of the sleeve stump, it is possible to form the entire front face of the sleeve stump from an open material, e.g. a textile material.

The inner inflatable member is thus used for distribution of the air in the outer inflatable member and as a shaping element. The shaping of the outer inflatable member is possible because a pressure difference in favour of the inner inflatable member prevails between the outer and the inner inflatable member. This means that the pressure in the inner inflatable member is higher than the pressure in the outer inflatable member. This pressure difference comes about because the outer inflatable member is not supplied directly with air but exclusively indirectly via the inner inflatable member. According to the invention, this air supply to the torso section and the sleeve sections is accomplished separately. For this purpose, air supply means in the form of air-permeable material and/or dense material with openings are provided respectively on the sleeve stumps and the torso portion. 

1-11. (canceled)
 12. A device for ironing garments, the device comprising an outer inflatable member having with an outer torso section and two outer sleeve sections which are laterally connected to the outer torso section, and an inner inflatable member which includes an air-impermeable material, wherein the air supply for the outer sleeve sections and the outer torso section is provided separately via the inner inflatable member.
 13. The device according to claim 12, wherein the inner inflatable member includes a cladding at least partially forming a separation between the outer torso section and the outer sleeve sections.
 14. The device according to claim 13, wherein the inner inflatable member has an inner torso section and two inner sleeve stumps laterally connected to the inner torso section, the separation between the outer torso section and the outer sleeve sections being formed by the inner sleeve stumps, the inner sleeve stumps having a circumference being greater than the circumference of the outer sleeve section.
 15. The device according to claim 14, wherein an inner wedge is provided on the inner inflatable member on an opening of each inner sleeve stump, said inner wedge having a circumference of the inner sleeve stump in the vicinity of the inner sleeve stump opening being greater than the circumference of the inner sleeve stump opening.
 16. The device according to claim 12, wherein an outer wedge is provided on the outer inflatable member at an opening of each outer sleeve section, said outer wedge having a circumference of the outer sleeve section in the vicinity of the outer sleeve opening being greater than the circumference of the outer sleeve opening.
 17. The device according to claim 14, wherein the inner sleeve stumps each include a front face being permeable to air for the supply of air into the outer sleeve section of the outer inflatable member, the front faces being formed by at least one of an open air permeable material and a dense material having openings.
 18. The device according to claims 14, wherein the inner torso portion has air-permeable regions for the air supply to the outer torso section.
 19. The device according to claim 12, wherein the inner inflatable member include two separate side portions which each form a portion of the inner torso portion, the separate side portions being interconnected by connecting means.
 20. The device according to claim 19, wherein each side portion of the inner inflatable member includes an inner side facing the other side portion and being at least partially air-permeable, the inner side being formed by at least one of an open air permeable material and a dense material having multiple openings.
 21. The device according to claim 12, wherein a pressure ratio of 1:2.5 to 1:4.5 is adjusted between the outer inflatable member and the inner inflatable member.
 22. The device according to claim 12, wherein a pressure ratio of 1:3 to 1:3.5 is adjusted between the outer inflatable member and the inner inflatable member.
 23. The device according to claim 12, wherein the inflatable member includes a sealed region having an air permeability in the region of 0 to 3 L/m²s, a moderate air permeability region having an air permeability in the range of 3 to 20 L/m²s, and an air-permeable region have an air permeability in the range of 100 to 250 L/m²s.
 24. The device according to claim 23, wherein the inflatable member includes the sealed region having an air permeability in the region of 0 to 1 L/m²s, the moderate air permeability region having an air permeability in the range of 5 to 10 L/m²s, and the air-permeable region have an air permeability in the range of 150 to 210 L/m²s.
 25. A device for ironing garments, the device comprising: an outer inflatable member having with an outer torso section and two outer sleeve sections which are laterally connected to the outer torso section; an inner inflatable member disposed within the outer inflatable member and including an inner torso section and two inner sleeve stumps laterally connected to the inner torso section at inner openings, and two side portions, each side portion including an inner side facing the other side portion and being at least partially air-permeable; and an inner wedge is provided on each inner sleeve stump and having a circumference in the vicinity of the inner opening being greater than the circumference of the inner opening.
 26. The device according to claim 25, wherein the inflatable member includes a sealed region having an air permeability in the region of 0 to 3 L/m²s, a moderate air permeability region having an air permeability in the range of 3 to 20 L/m²s, and an air-permeable region have an air permeability in the range of 100 to 250 L/m²s.
 27. The device according to claim 26, comprising: the sealed region including the inner sleeve stump, at least a portion of the torso portion, and at least a portion of the inner sides; the moderate air permeability region including at least a portion of the torso portion disposed opposite the inner side; and the air-permeable region including at least a portion of the inner sides.
 28. The device according to claim 27, wherein the inflatable member includes the sealed region having an air permeability in the region of 0 to 1 L/m²s, the moderate air permeability region having an air permeability in the range of 5 to 10 L/m²S, and the air-permeable region have an air permeability in the range of 150 to 210 L/m²s. 